Getting Pregnant After 35: The truth about age and womens’ fertility

Fertility begins to rapidly decline after the age of 35. If you are above 35 and you are worrying that you might have lost your chance to be a mother, do not fret. Pregnancy after the age of 35 years is possible but it may take some time & you may need a closer monitoring/ surveillance to ensure that the baby is alright and also to avoid medical complications like Diabetes , Hypertension etc. which can be encountered in pregnancy and postpartum.

What are your odds?

The number of eggs in the ovaries decreases steadily as the age advances, thus creating hindrances to getting pregnant.

It isn’t difficult to figure out the fact that it is easier to get pregnant when you are still young (within 24-28 years of age).

This is because at this time, the number of eggs is sufficient & the eggs are healthier so they lead to healthier pregnancy & baby. Every girl is born with a certain fixed number of eggs in the ovary & this number steadily declines till she reaches menopause, when all the eggs are finished & it is no longer possible to conceive naturally.

When you are in your 20s, you have 20 per cent of a chance to get pregnant during a single cycle. This declines sharply as you grow older-15 per cent in your 30s, 10 per cent in your 40s and 3 per cent by age 45. So, you need to work harder and have ample patience to get pregnant when you are trying to get pregnant after the age of 35 years. Also, consult an endocrinologist and fertility specialist.

Increase Your Chances of Fertility After 35-
Trying to conceive after 35 may seem overwhelming, but there are many things you can do to make getting pregnant easier…

Here are some things to remember:

Schedule a pre-conception appointment.

Remember that women over age 35 take longer to conceive, so have patience & keep a positive mindset.

A woman who is physically, mentally and emotionally healthy is more likely to conceive.

Observing your fertility signs can tell you a lot about your body.

Consider taking an at home fertility screening test.

Regular exercise & good dietary habits help in increasing your chances of conception.

Quit smoking & alcohol as they further deteriorate the number & quality of eggs as well as sperms and adversely affect your chances of getting pregnant.

Hence both you & your partner should stay away from smoking & alcohol. Visit your healthcare provider to discuss the possibility of fertility testing. You may decide to consult a fertility specialist if normal methods fail. Depending on the test results, the specialist will recommend the right treatment.